Following the recent meeting of the Fromelles Identification Panel, the formal six year programme to identify the remains of 250 British and Australian soldiers that were found in burial pits at Pheasant Wood near Fromelles in France is drawing to a close with 144 men having been identified. Henceforth, identification will take place directly through the respective Ministries of Defence.

Throughout much of that period, the Group has been working to secure the identification of Old Victorian, Sgt Chester Church, through research and in locating family members from the male line who are considered as being suitable donors of DNA samples. Unfortunately for whatever reasons, that effort has not proved successful, and Sgt Chester Church has still not been identified.

However, research work is continuing, and with the advice of the Australian Department of Defence, it is hoped that that this will provide a successful outcome before long.

To achieve that, the Group would welcome hearing from family members who are related to Chester's mother, Susannah Louisa Flowers, her subsequent married name after being widowed, formerly Church, and having been born Flowers at Portsmouth in 1855. For those who may be able to help, please contact us:

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Australian service records

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record